Car insurance fraud: a discreet but growing phenomenon
Insurance fraud is nothing new, but it is now taking on increasingly sophisticated forms. According to the latest figures published by the Agence de Lutte contre la Fraude à l’Assurance (ALFA), more than 52,000 frauds were detected in 2024, across all lines of business. This represents an estimated cost of more than 300 million euros for the sector. Motor insurance remains one of the areas most affected.
Among the most frequent cases is a resurgence of disguised accidents, particularly those involving solo drivers, who are not covered in the event of a claim without an identified third party. Rather than declare an at-fault accident that would not be compensated, some policyholders stage a fake or unintentionally involved third-party vehicle.
This phenomenon goes further than you might think: fraudsters are no longer content to invent information. They acquire genuine insurance data, in particular registration numbers or contracts relating to fleet vehicles. This information is used to fill in accident reports which, on paper, look authentic. However, these reports often contain unreachable contact details, generic addresses or companies that are difficult to identify. The result: complex, if not impossible, verification for the insurer.
This type of fraud is difficult to detect during the initial processing of a claim. That’s why insurance companies call on seasoned professionals: insurance investigators, often accredited private detectives, who have the legal means to investigate discreetly and effectively.
Between 2010 and 2023, the cost of motor insurance fraud in France more than doubled, rising from around €90 million to almost €237 million, according to ALFA. This steady rise underlines the growing sophistication of fraudsters and the need for insurers to strengthen their control systems. The estimate for 2025 is trending upwards.
In 2023, fake accidents will account for almost 45% of fraud cases detected, followed by organised theft (20%) and arson (15%). Misrepresentation and false breakdowns complete the picture of increasingly structured fraud.
The Bureau Central Français (BCF): pivotal in cross-border claims
When a French-registered vehicle is involved in an accident abroad, the French Central Bureau (BCF) often comes into play. An official body attached to the Bureau National des Assureurs, the BCF plays a crucial role in the administrative and legal management of claims involving several countries.
The BCF is a member of the international green card system, which brings together more than 45 countries. Its role is to facilitate compensation for victims in cases where an accident occurs outside France but involves a vehicle insured in France. In practical terms, the BCF can :
- appoint a local correspondent to manage the case according to local rules;
- help identify the foreign insurer of the third party involved;
- facilitate exchanges between companies and authorities in different countries;
- centralise information to avoid errors, duplications or inconsistent declarations.
In cases of suspected fraud, the FCO may also be alerted when elements of a file appear unclear or contradictory: absence of a declaration in the country of the claim, non-existent witness statements, differing versions of the facts, or documents filled in after the event. These signals sometimes trigger an investigation phase, in which private detectives may be called in.
The aim is not to play vigilante, but to understand whether the event actually took place under the conditions declared. In this way, the BCF acts as a crossroads for information between insurers, investigators and the relevant authorities.
The private detective: an essential link in the fight against abuse
When an insurance claim becomes suspicious or there are elements that raise doubts, the insurance company may decide to call in an insurance investigator. Most often, this is an ALFA-certified private investigator, whose job is to verify the circumstances of the claim, cross-check information and detect any anomalies.
Contrary to popular belief, the investigation does not involve systematic surveillance of the policyholder. The investigator works primarily on a documentary and administrative basis, analysing the documents provided, checking claims history, consulting legal databases and identifying any inconsistencies in the account of events.
In the case of frauds organised around false statements of facts, the detective may try to contact the third party supposedly involved, analyse the consistency of the damage, or determine whether the times and places given are credible. Sometimes, the investigation reveals that the vehicle supposedly involved in the accident was immobilised, had already been declared a claim, or had never crossed the path of the policyholder’s vehicle.
When the case requires it, field checks or the taking of a 202 certificate may be carried out. The objective is always the same: to establish the truth, without excess or prejudice, and to provide a comprehensive report that can be used in civil, administrative or criminal proceedings.
This in-depth work, although invisible to the general public, helps to preserve the fairness of the system. It makes it possible to limit abuses, protect honest policyholders – who often pay the price of fraud through their contributions – and ensure fair compensation in compliance with contracts.
